Renowned children's author Michael Rosen, one of Britain's most beloved voices, celebrates his 80th birthday by reflecting on life, loss, creativity and self-confidence.
In an interview built from questions from readers and friends, he appears honest, often unsure – but always clear-headed.
"Every time I write, I doubt myself"
Rosen admits that doubt is an essential part of the creative process. “If you think you’re great, you have no reason to write,” he says. Even after finishing a piece, he waits for the reaction of others to see if it’s working.
The path to children's literature
He had no plans to become a children's author. He initially wrote for adults, but a lack of interest from publishers led him to a different audience – and thus his career in children's literature was born.
Coping with loss and the absurdity of life
The loss of his son, Eddie, remains a deep wound, but Rosen finds solace in a simple idea: life is absurd. “From the little things to the big tragedies – they’re all part of the same absurdity,” he says. Today, he believes that people continue to live on in the memories of others.
Inspiration and children
For Rosen, children are a constant source of inspiration. One recent moment was when a little boy recited a poem of his from memory to him—something he himself had underestimated. “It made me laugh and reminded me why I write,” he says.
Art, politics and truth
He rejects the idea that art should be apolitical. According to him, even the attempt to avoid politics is itself a political act. Even classical fables, such as those of Aesop, are essentially about power and society.
Faith and hope
Rosen doesn't follow a particular religion, but he believes in people and the universe. While he acknowledges that the world often seems bleak, he maintains a cautious faith in human potential.
An imaginary dinner with literary giants
If he could choose three authors for an ideal dinner, he would invite William Shakespeare, Franz Kafka, and Langston Hughes – to discuss creativity, style, and how art is born.
From chocolate cake to viral videos
With humor, he also talks about his love of chocolate cake and dealing with internet memes. Initially annoyed, he later accepted them as a form of creativity – as long as they don't degenerate into hate speech.
In the end, Michael Rosen remains who he has always been: a storyteller who moves between pain and humor, between uncertainty and passion – reminding us that even in doubt, creativity continues. /GazetaExpress/
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